By Jarrett Seto
Nose, Heart, Eyes
On first glance, none of these books appear to have much in common. At all. However, I noticed a theme of sorts. They all deal with our senses and intuitions. Ok, so our heart and/or soul isn’t a sense per say, but there’s still a feeling you get from it. Each of these books varies in theme, but there’s smell, sight (through dry observation), and heart. Think of these three books as those See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no Evil monkeys but altered. So monkey number one has their hands pointed towards their nose, number twos hands are away from their eyes, and three has their hands over their hearts. I name them the three monkeys of proverbial emotions. Or for a band name, the Olfactory Cortex Heart Club Band.
The Scent Keeper By Erica Bauermeister (2020)
Memory and family relationships are masterfully explored in The Scent Keeper. The novel follows Emmeline, a person who can read the history and journey of an item simply by its scent. Her father teaches her about the natural world using her senses as she grows up on a remote island off British Columbia. She discovers mysterious scents closed in little bottles that line the walls of her home. There comes a time where she must leave the island, and with it comes growing up, friendship, love, grief, and family. The Scent Keeper goes great with a reading nook and a cup of peppermint tea. Do you remember the first time you smelled peppermint tea?
My Year of Rest and Relaxation By Ottessa Moshfegh (2019)
A young, talented, and beautiful Columbia graduate has endless possibilities. She’s got an easy job and has lots of inheritance. She should be having the time of her life. But something doesn’t feel quite right. Could it be personal loss, an unhealthy relationship, or perhaps another issue? Ottessa Moshfegh’s second novel is, if anything, bold. It doesn’t shy away from any of life’s unpleasantries. You’ll find out that Moshfegh certainly has a way with words in this darkly humorous story of a woman who is trying to sleep for an entire year with prescription medications. The wry observational wit will cause you to chuckle, even when you know that you shouldn’t.
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg By Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik (2015)
Lawyer. Jurist. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Feminist Icon. There are many roles one thinks of when RBG is mentioned. Her mark on history is undeniable, and her support for gender equality and human rights inspires people across generations. It’s well known that she was a role model for millions of people across the globe and that she possessed noble convictions. Notorious RBG gives you a look into her life’s work, her struggles, and victories.
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